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Home  »  The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century  »  Sarah Doudney (1841–1926)

Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.

By The Christian’s “Good-night” (“Sleep on, beloved”)

Sarah Doudney (1841–1926)

  • The early Christians were accustomed to bid their dying friends “Good-night,” so sure were they of their awaking at the Resurrection Morning.


  • SLEEP on, beloved, sleep on and take thy rest,

    Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour’s breast;

    We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best;—

    Good-night!

    Calm is thy slumber as an infant’s sleep;

    But thou shalt wake no more to toil and weep;

    Thine is a perfect rest, secure and deep;—

    Good-night!

    Until the shadow from this earth is cast,

    Until He gathers in His sheaves at last,

    Until the Lenten gloom is overpast;—

    Good-night!

    Until the Easter glory lights the skies,

    Until the dead in Jesus shall arise,

    And He shall come—but not in lowly guise;—

    Good-night!

    Until, made beautiful by love divine,

    Thou, in the likeness of Thy Lord, shalt shine,

    And He shall bring that golden crown of thine;—

    Good-night!

    Only “Good-night,” beloved, not “Farewell”!

    A little while, and all His saints shall dwell

    In hallowed union, indivisible;—

    Good-night!

    Until we meet again before His throne,

    Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own;

    Until we know, even as we are known;—

    Good-night!